The Aëthnic Union was a

radical feminist Radical feminism is a perspective within feminism that calls for a radical re-ordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts, while recognizing that women's experiences are also affected by other ...

organisation established in London around 1911 by

Thomas Baty Thomas Baty (8 February 1869 – 9 February 1954), who also used the name Irene Clyde, was an English gender non-conforming international lawyer, writer, and activist. A prominent legal scholar and authority on international law, Baty served fo ...

, also known as Irene Clyde. Dedicated to dismantling traditional gender roles and societal norms, the Union promoted ideals of

pacifism Pacifism is the opposition to war or violence. The word ''pacifism'' was coined by the French peace campaigner Émile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress in Glasgow in 1901. A related term is ...

egalitarianism Egalitarianism (; also equalitarianism) is a school of thought within political philosophy that builds on the concept of social equality, prioritizing it for all people. Egalitarian doctrines are generally characterized by the idea that all hum ...

, and

gender neutrality Gender neutrality (adjective form: gender-neutral), also known as gender-neutralism or the gender neutrality movement, is the idea that policies, language, and other social institutions (social structures or gender roles) should avoid distinguish ...

. Its members included notable activists and intellectuals such as Eva Gore-Booth, Esther Roper, Jessey Wade, and Dorothy Cornish, who contributed their expertise in

women's suffrage Women's suffrage is the women's rights, right of women to Suffrage, vote in elections. Several instances occurred in recent centuries where women were selectively given, then stripped of, the right to vote. In Sweden, conditional women's suffra ...

animal welfare Animal welfare is the quality of life and overall well-being of animals. Formal standards of animal welfare vary between contexts, but are debated mostly by animal welfare groups, legislators, and academics. Animal welfare science uses measures ...

, and

education Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...

. The Union provided a platform for radical discussions and collaborative intellectual efforts, fostering a vision of a society free from gender-based constraints. Its principles and activities significantly influenced the ideology later disseminated through the feminist journal ''

Urania Urania ( ; ; modern Greek shortened name ''Ránia''; meaning "heavenly" or "of heaven") was, in Greek mythology, the muse of astronomy and astrology. Urania is the goddess of astronomy and stars, her attributes being the globe and compass. T ...

''.

History

In 1908, the transgender lawyer

, also known as Irene Clyde, began a correspondence with the

London Society for Women's Suffrage The Fawcett Society is a membership charity in the United Kingdom which campaigns for women's rights. The organisation dates back to 1866, when Millicent Fawcett, Millicent Garrett Fawcett dedicated her life to the peaceful campaign for women's ...

. In 1911, Baty founded the Aëthnic Union in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

; Aëthnic was derived from the Greek, " ethnos", a race (of people). The Union consisted of prominent activists and intellectuals, including Eva Gore-Booth, a poet and

suffragist Suffrage, political franchise, or simply franchise is the right to vote in public, political elections and referendums (although the term is sometimes used for any right to vote). In some languages, and occasionally in English, the right to vo ...

, and was joined by figures such as Esther Roper, Jessey Wade, and Dorothy Cornish, each bringing unique contributions from their work in suffrage,

, and education. It served as a safe space for radical discussions and a springboard for the ideals later expressed in the feminist journal ''

''. The Union's principles emphasised breaking down the binary gender organisation of humanity and creating a society free from the constraints of

gender roles A gender role, or sex role, is a social norm deemed appropriate or desirable for individuals based on their gender or sex. Gender roles are usually centered on conceptions of masculinity and femininity. The specifics regarding these gende ...

: "Society has split perfection into two, and imposes on the individual spirit conformity to one of two warped ideals: the stern masculine and the trivial feminine." In a 1912

advertorial An advertorial is an advertisement in the form of editorial content. The term "advertorial" is a blend word, blend (see portmanteau) of the words "advertisement" and "editorial". Merriam-Webster dates the origin of the word to 1946. In printed pub ...

for the organisation, Baty wrote:

As things are, that insistent differentiation drags in its weary trail at every turn. In the dress they wear, in the games they play, in the occupations they follow, in their very food and drink, it is constantly borne in upon people that they must assimilate themselvs to one or the other imperfect type. They are never permitted to be themselves. They are forced to strangle their own free development. From that soul-murder the Union would liberate them.

Members of the Union engaged in activities ranging from publishing articles to organising discussions that fostered intellectual and social solidarity. These ideals, however, often clashed internally due to differing views on class and political strategy, ultimately limiting the Union's broader impact. The Aëthnic Union operated actively for three years, organising regular meetings on a bi-monthly basis. These gatherings took place on the last Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November, fostering consistent dialogue and engagement among its members. By 1916, Baty had moved to Japan and the group's focus shifted toward the publication of ''Urania'', which became the primary platform for disseminating its ideology.

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References

Defunct organisations based in London Feminist organisations in England Organizations disestablished in 1916 Organizations established in 1911 Radical feminist organizations LGBTQ organisations in London

History

Notes

References

Further reading